Professional Experience

• Philippine Senate

  2018–Present Senate President

• Philippine Senate

  2010–Present Senator

• Philippine Senate

  2016–2018 Senate Majority Floor Leader

• Philippine Senate

  2010–2013 Senate Majority Floor Leader

• Office of the President

  2008–2009 Dangerous Drugs Board

• Philippine Senate

  1992–2004 Senator

• Quezon City

  1988–1992 Vice Mayor

Significant Works/Projects

• Philippine Senate

  2020 Co-author

  Bayanihan We Heal as One Act

• Philippine Senate

  2020 Co-author

  Prevention of Terrorism Act

• Philippine Senate

  2018 Co-author

  Mental Health Act of 2017

• Philippine Senate

  2018 Co-author

  Anti-Hazing Act of 2018

• Illegal drug policies

  • Advocates for a more holistic approach in solving the lingering problem of illegal drugs in the country
  • Focusing more on more on the prevention and rehabilitation of drug users
  • Applying supply and demand reduction strategies

• Anti-insurgence

  • Supports the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict but says its officials who make "irresponsible" statements should be dismissed.

• Budget Reform

  • Advocating for budget reform that will empower local government units and solve budget distribution imbalance in the country

Agriculture

• Decreasing import, increasing export

  For

  Sotto criticized the illegal importation of goods and said, "Filipino farmers lose some P2.5 million per day because of the proliferation of contraband vegetables in the country." "[Illegal] Importation is the culprit," he added.

• Increased budget for local livelihood, farmers, fishermen, etc

  For

  The Lacson and Sotto tandem said that their administration would buy 50 percent of the local farmers’ produce to boost the agriculture sector. Sotto added that 40% of the Filipino labor force works in the agriculture sector and they contribute 20% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Infrastructure

• Road improvements/expansion (skyways, etc.)

  Undecided

  In 2019, Sotto suggested turning Edsa into a one-way southbound road as a way to ease traffic. However, it was criticized by The Passenger Forum. they said the idea "may increase vehicular speed” along the two roads, it “might lengthen travel time.”

• Improved public transport (PUVs, Jeeps, etc)

  For

  Sotto supported the modernization of PUVs through SETCO and stated, "We are giving the Philippine transportation a new face, a transport system that is innovative, safe and environment-friendly,”

• Accountability of telcos for slow internet speeds

  For

  Sotto has slammed the internet services provided in the country and said that agreed that the government should move in favor of internet consumers.

Environment

• Advanced mining

  Not Applicable

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• Satisfaction with Climate Change Efforts (Is the PH doing enough)

  Undecided

  In a press release by presidential bet Lacson, he said he and Sotto will "continue to do our research on climate change and related issues, as the issue was consistently brought up in the consultations that we have conducted so far.

• Dolomite beach

  Not Applicable

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Family and Women's Rights

• Divorce

  Undecided

  "Divorce can be exploited. What I will push for is to make the annulment procedure easier because it is said to be costly and time-consuming," said Sotto about the issue.

• LGBTQ rights (same-sex union, SOGIE)

  Undecided

  Sotto expresses his disagreement with same-sex marriage and said, "Same-sex union is already being practiced here and there is nothing we can do about it. Same-sex marriage is the one which is not acceptable to many religions and other sectors,”

• Legalization of Abortion

  Against

  Sotto has liked abortion to extrajudicial killings and stated, "Before the UN (United Nations), US and western countries investigate [the] so-called extrajudicial killings here, they should tell us how many hundreds of thousands of babies they abort who is about to be born,”

Labor/Worker's Rights

• Increase of minimum wage

  For

  Sotto backs the need for an increase in minimum wage. He states, "If it were up to me, in these trying times, minimum wage [should be] P1,000,”

• Increased budget and support for OFWs

  For

  In 2021, during the midst of the pandemic, Sotto appealed to fellow senators to think about the plight of overseas Filipino workers. He said, "Let us not forget our new heroes. Currently, the Senate is discussing the drafting of better care systems for overseas Filipino workers. As well as giving them additional benefits."

Global Politics

• Ukraine's Freedom from Russia (Russia-Ukraine)

  Not Applicable

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• Philippine-China Relations

  For

  With regards to the dispute on the West Philippine Sea, Sotto said that he saw no problem with China fishing in Philippine waters. He welcomes the idea of other nations fishing in Philippine waters so long as they “allow” Filipino fishermen to fish in their zones. too.

Previous Administration

• Drug war

  For

  Sotto mentioned that he still believes the enforcement of the anti-drug campaign by the Duterte administration “was in the right way.” “I support the war on drugs as long as there is a war on drug abuse,” he added

• Current COVID and Disaster Response (lockdown, government measures, etc)

  Undecided

  Sotto expresses that the Philippines could have done more. "[We should have] already able to come up with a legislation that will have a nationwide program, health program,”
  
  Sotto added, “Most of the countries in the world were not ready; we were not ready. So hopefully, the government has learned from this and we will be able to come up with better plans and programs to handle this pandemic and future epidemics and pandemics.”

• Political Dynasties

  Undecided

  Sotto denies the growth of their clan's own political dynasty. He said, "The Sottos have different positions. It's not a concentrated influence. It just so happens that we are relatives."

• Rappler | June 16, 2018

  Sotto asks Inquirer to remove articles on Pepsi Paloma

  The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines denounces Sotto's request, saying it is a 'brazen attempt to suppress freedom of the press and of expression'

• Rappler | May 03, 2017

  Sotto insults single mother DSWD chief Taguiwalo: ‘Na-ano lang’

  Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III made this remark as he grilled Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, a solo parent, during her confirmation hearing before the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday, May 3.

• Rappler | Aug. 16, 2012

  Sotto’s staff admits plagiarizing blogger

  The chief of staff of Sen Vicente “Tito” Sotto III finally admitted that parts of his speech against the RH bill on Wednesday, August 15, were copied from a blog by a foreign author who calls herself the “Healthy Home Economist.”